David, a man who had lost his family, made the courageous decision to adopt a little boy with Down syndrome that no one else wanted. Years later, he received an unexpected call from a lawyer with astonishing news.
David paced nervously in the hospital waiting room. His brother, Jack, tried to calm him down. “You’d think no one has ever had a baby before!”
David grinned. “I know,” he said. “I just feel so anxious! I’ve always dreamed of being a father.”
Jack patted his brother on the back, smiling. “Get ready to be a dad!” At that moment, the doctor approached David with a somber expression that wiped away their smiles.
The doctor explained that a rare complication had claimed the lives of both David’s wife, Rita, and their baby. David listened calmly, nodding as the doctor spoke.
When David tried to take a step, his knees gave way. He didn’t cry, but Jack, overwhelmed with emotion, had to help his brother home.
A few days after the funeral, David woke up in a silent house. He reached for Rita’s side of the bed—empty. He turned on the nursery’s nightlight, casting soft pastel stars on the ceiling. The room, once filled with hopes and dreams, now felt empty.
David sat in the rocking chair Rita had insisted on. He felt his dreams had vanished, leaving his home and heart empty. He wanted to destroy the nursery and erase its emptiness.
Then a thought struck him: “You can’t fill a hole with anger, only with love.” He couldn’t remember where he’d heard it, but it seemed to offer a lifeline.
David contacted social services about adopting or fostering a child. The social worker was hesitant. “We don’t usually place children with single parents,” she said, “though it is becoming more common.”
“My life is good,” David replied. “I have love to give a child. I want to fulfill the dream my wife and I had of having children.”
The social worker picked up a file covered in colorful stickers. “Would you consider a special needs child?” she asked.
David shrugged. “Every child has needs and is unique,” he said softly. “I believe the child who needs me will come to me.”
Before the big day, David went through numerous interviews and parenting classes. Finally, they informed him he had a son.
The social worker said, “We have a little boy who’s been through three foster families. He’s two years old and has Down syndrome. His name is Sam.”
“Where is he?” David asked.
The social worker cautioned about Sam’s health issues.
“I’ll take him to the pediatrician,” David said. “Whatever he needs, he’ll get.”
When David first saw Sam, it was love at first sight. Sam was the cutest baby he’d ever seen!
At first, Sam was quiet, but he opened up as he felt David’s love and care. David couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want such a sweet child!
Sam was almost perfect, though he took longer to reach milestones, and the doctor said they needed to monitor his heart.
Picking up Sam from daycare, David’s heart would burst with love as Sam ran to him with open arms. “Rita,” he’d whisper to his late wife, watching Sam sleep, “I made our dream come true. I filled the hole you and our baby left with love.”
As the years passed, Sam grew up quickly. His heart was healthy, and he was a joyful child who made friends easily. Sam’s infectious smile could win anyone over!
David could hardly keep up with Sam’s social calendar filled with playdates and sleepovers. At twelve, Sam felt grown-up and wanted more independence. Like all parents, David had to learn to give his son space.
Then one day, David got a call from a lawyer. “Mr. Wallace,” the man said, “I’m calling about your adoptive son’s birth parents…”
“What do you want?” David asked curtly.
“I’d like to speak with you,” the lawyer replied.
“I’m not interested,” David said. “My son was abandoned by those people. Nothing you say interests me.”
“Please, Mr. Wallace,” the lawyer pleaded. “For Sam’s sake.”
Reluctantly, David agreed to meet. The lawyer handed him a letter. “This will explain everything better than I can,” he said.
“Dear Mr. Wallace,” the letter began, “if you’re reading this, I’m at peace with my beloved wife. Thank you for loving and caring for my dear Sam.
“The doctors told us Sam had Down syndrome before he was born. It didn’t matter to us. We welcomed him warmly. We hoped for many happy years together, but it wasn’t meant to be.
“When Sam was three months old, we took him for tests at the hospital. On our way to pick him up, my wife Emily and I were hit by a truck. Emily died instantly, and I survived but was left quadriplegic. I’ve been living like a dead man, crying and cursing God for twelve years.
“Sam deserved better than me. I put him up for adoption so he could have a better life. Mr. Wallace, you took in my boy and have been the best father. I was right.
“One day, tell Sam that his birth parents wanted and loved him. He should never think we abandoned him.
“The lawyer will give you the documents for Sam’s $1.2 million trust fund, ensuring his future. Thank you again for being a father to my Sam and loving him.”
The lawyer handed over the trust fund documents. David wondered if the families who had rejected Sam would have done so if they’d known about the money. But Sam’s biological father had been wise to keep it a secret so Sam would be loved for who he was.
Lessons from This Story
- Fill your heart with love, not anger. David chose to put aside his grief and give a needy child all his love.
- Parents often make the hardest decisions for their children’s well-being. Sam’s father gave him up so he could have a loving family and a normal childhood.
Share this story with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
